UPDATED: TSA Says No Security Scare on Lambert Flight After All

ST. LOUIS (KMOX) – Federal air safety officials now say that there were no security issues at all aboard a United Airlines flight that turned around on the tarmac and returned to a gate at Lambert-St. Louis airport Sunday, the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11th attacks.

Passenger Ron Meyer told KMOX that two passengers on board United Airlines Flight 3681 had been acting suspiciously, spending time in the plane’s lavatory, prompting the return to the gate and deplaning of the passengers. “As far as I understood, there was some fishy activity in the restroom,” Meyer said. “They were in there together and that’s what gave the flight attendants the red flag.”

A flight attendant told Meyer that when confronted by the crew, the men identified themselves as air marshals, but when the men couldn’t prove their claim the pilot made the decision to return to the gate . The men were removed from the aircraft and the passengers had to re-board after a second security check and their baggage was re-examined.

A statement from the Transportation Security Adminstration says only UA 3681 returned to the gate at the pilot’s direction for unknown reasons, adding that the TSA does not provide flight information for Federal Air Marshals. Officials did say that, after passengers reboarded, the flight proceeded to its destination, Washington/Dulles, without incident.

Meyer tells KMOX News that the pilot later told him they were finally able to determine the men were indeed Federal Air Marshals.

According to the conservative political website www.biggovernment.com, United Airlines flight 3681 bound for Washington-Dulles airport was forced back to the gate at Lambert due to suspicious behavior involving two passengers who were reportedly frequenting the aircraft’s restroom.

Ron Meyer was a passenger on Flight 3681 — he reported that the men attempted to pass themselves off as TSA agents and were eventually confronted by the plane’s crew.

“These two guys identified themselves as air marhals,” Meyer said, “and that’s why we needed to deplane because they didn’t have any paperwork, any proof, and it was just a really odd situation.”

After the passengers were deplaned, they were re-screened by security along with all the luggage.

The flight then proceeded to Washington-Dulles without incident.

Again, KMOX News and www.kmox.com will bring you the latest details on this story as soon as they become available.

One Comment

Yet another overreaction by the fear mongers at TSA. This is the fourth incident in a day and an outrageous waste of resources. We cannot afford this agency’s paranoia to continue, the financial impact is completely disproportionate to the benefit.

TSA can’t prevent crime within their own ranks with 45 TSA screeners having been arrested since December for thefts from baggage, rapes, child pornography, drug trafficking and assault. Why we anyone trust this group with airport security?

The agency is grossly mismanaged, staffed by incompetent personnel and operating against the interests and will of those they supposedly serve. While no one questions that there is a need for airport security the abusive security offered by TSA is not the answer. It is long past time to dismantle this agency and investigate those who have profited by inducing this absurd level of paranoia.

The three people removed from the Detroit flight Sunday were detained 6 hours and strip searched. Welcome to the new America.